Birthday card featuring a cute cat walking in the rain, some embossed velllum and a beautiful background with a rainbow

I found this fun image of a little kitten with a beautiful umbrella on Pixabay and thought it would make a great birthday card for my niece.  I laser printed it, trimmed it with scallop decorative scissors and then used a push pin to pierce each scallop.  I embossed a strip of vellum using a Sizzix embossing folder and mounted it to a beautiful background with a rainbow!!!  Worked so well.  After adhering the vellum to the background I mounted my image with four silver brads.  To finish my card I mounted this large element to my large card.  I created the card to fit in a large envelope from my stash.  

Therese

 

Birthday card with a handmade paper background, a little stitched sail boat on a wavy sea

I committed to getting this card out a while back and it did not make it to my daytimer and I just remembered today for a tomorrow birthday!!  Hence, the belated that I added by hand!!  I was on a roll with stitching fabric to handmade paper and thought I would try a different subject matter.  I did a bit of research for sail boat quilts which led me to this pattern which was easy enough to trim the pieces by hand.  I found blue tulle and rick rack which simulated water quite nicely.  I cut the boat from brown and the sails from blue and red fabrics.  I stitched the tulle first, then my boat and then I added the rick rack.  I like that you can see the boat below the rick rack - like it is just behind a wave.  I used blue thread to stitch the sails in place and then dark brown to stitch the mast in between.  I used the end of a pencil to add the dark brown ball on the end because with just the stitching it looked a little lost.  I ran my pattern tracing wheel on top and bottom of my greeting and then stitched both sides in brown over my boat.  The tulle worked out really well and it was fun to try something new with this technique.  It will be off in tomorrow's mail and hopefully won't be more than a few days late.  Therese
 

A little card of encouragement

One of my grandson did a good job of his online learning last week I thought I would make him a little panel card to let him know that he did good and with a continued effort will get to where he sets his sights.  

The little bear is from Pixabay.  I laser printed it, trimmed to size, ran my pattern tracing wheel on all four edges and mounted it to a brown panel which I embossed with my Subtle Texture embossing folder.  What a wonderful tool!!  Textured cardstock in any colour of cardstock you have on hand!!!  Perfect!!  I stamped and embellished the tag with a star and a brad and a gave it a go with the pattern tracing wheel as well.  

Therese

 

Birthday card with a handmade paper background and a bevy of gifts in red and blue

 I wanted to make my exchange cards using fabric scraps and handmade paper.  It is so easy to stitch the scraps to the paper and I love all the texture that is created in the process of combining the two.  After stitching all the way around the gifts in blue I added two lines of red to simulate ribbon.  I added the bows after I had stitched on all the gifts but on hind sight I could have added them when I did the vertical center red stitching as I simply laid the center of the ribbon/tie over the gift and stitched in place then tied a bow.  I had not figured out how to add the bows when I was stitching the gifts.  I limited myself to red and blue but next time I will be more vibrant with my colours and mix up the ribbons as well.  This one is a little too predictable in its colour scheme which I not how birthday gifts happen in real life.  They are usually very different and more colourful.  It is a celebration after all!!  After all the stitching was done I glued this large layer to the front of a navy card which fit in a large envelope.  I will be mailing it off to my partner this week!!

Therese

Birthday card with a handmade paper background, a stitched fabric cake and some silk flower embellishments

Having really enjoyed making this card for my daughter I thought I would try combining handmade paper and fabric for my exchange cards for this month.  

I started with a large pink card which fit in a large envelope from my stash.  I tore a piece of coordinating handmade paper (which I made myself quite a while back) to fit nicely on the front.  I found some pink and green fabric and trimmed out three pieces in three different sizes to create my cake and then a little one for the candle.  I dug through my little stash of small yellow fabric scraps and trimmed out two candle flames - one large and one small.  I used light green thread in my sewing machine to stitch them in place on my handmade paper starting with my candle and then the small layer it and so on until I had created my cake.  I put yellow thread in my sewing machine and stitched my flames which I overlaid over one another.  I used brown thread to stitch the wick.  Love it!!!!!  Pink and green is my favorite colour combination.  Wanting to add yet a bit more texture I decided to add some little silk flowers which coordinated very nicely.  I added white iridescent sequins to their centers and adhered them to my cake using tiny white brads.  I adhered this large element to my card front and pressed it under weight to ensure that all handmade paper was well attached to my card.  I really like the combination of the handmade paper and the fabric.  Stitching them together went very well and everything has so much texture.  It is off to my partner this week!!            Therese
 

Anniversary card featuring "Love is..." from TLC, some heart punchies and an embossed vellum greeting

My parents are celebrating their 67 years of marriage and I made this this card.  The Love is... image is from TLC.  I colour printed it and used it as my focal image.  I choose a large envelope from my stash and created a coordinating purple card to fit inside.  I went looking for paper that coordinated with my image and found this one.  I did not have too many to choose from and this one worked the best though I might have preferred one with a bit of a softer look.  I dug through my little heart collection and found these three that worked with my other elements.  I embossed the two pink hearts with my Scripty - 3D embossing folder (SU).  Love it!!!!!!!  I trimmed a strip of the same purple cardstock, added the embossed hearts and then my silver embossed vellum greeting (SU) with two silver brads.  I mounted my image to my card then mounted the strip below it.  Worked really well.  We continue to pray for good health for our parents during this challenging time.  

Therese
 

Cards for Seniors - small photo cards

 I made up a few photo cards for the Cards for Seniors campaign that Scrap and Bean is running.  The photos are all trimmed off the calendars that my sister makes.  She is a photographer and has her camera handy most of the time.  She has been making these beautiful photo calendars for years and I usually get one for Christmas.  I just cannot throw them out!!!  So I have been collecting them and using them in my cardmaking but I have not been able to use them all so I decided I would take a few and make some small square cards for the Cards for Seniors that Scrap and Bean is sponsoring.  I trimmed the photos to 4" x 4" and then created 4.25" x 4.25" cards that coordinated with the images and simply adhered the photos to the front.  They make the best notecards and I am so happy to give them another chance to bless someone.  I will put them in with the other stash I made up a while back.  

Therese

Mother's Day card featuring a silhouette image with a sponged background, decorative paper and ribbon

I made this card for my youngest daughter for Mother's Day.  I started with the silhouette image of wild flowers laser printed on white cardstock. I masked off an area and sponged on several colour of blue ink.  I have been wanting to try this technique for so long and have yet to master it.  After removing the masks I found that it was a bit askew so I moved my masks and kept sponging on colour in lighter and lighter tones until I had reached the edges.  This was much better!!  I stamped the greeting (SU) near the top with black Versafine, ran my pattern tracing wheel around the edges and then added three little red rhinestones.  I created a black card that fit in a large envelope from my stash and  added my background (Melstampz).  I punched two slots on either side of my image and inserted a black cardstock strip to which I had adhered bright green ribbon that coordinated with my background paper.  I inserted it into the slots and then mounted this large element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  I used double sided taper to secure the ends of my strip.  

Therese
 

Mother's Day card featuring a wax crayon background, a watercoloured silhouette image and a paper doily

Blue is my Mom's favorite colour so I usually make her cards with some blue on them.  For this card I created a large black card that fit inside a large envelope from my stash.  I added this beautiful background paper which I created using white cardstock and wax crayons.  I laser printed the silhouette wildflower image (Dover)  onto white cardstock, trimmed it out and then added blue watercolour.  Once dry, I stamped the greeting (SU) in black Versafine near the top.  I punched a hole above and below the greeting and then inserted a black ribbon which I tied on the front with two knots and then trimmed the tails.  I trimmed a little white doily in half and added them to the top and bottom of my image before mounting this large focal element to my card front with 3D foam tape.  I did run my pattern tracing wheel on all four edges of my flower image to add some paper pierced texture but it does not show up very well in this photo.  

Therese
 

Mother's Day card featuring stitched fabric paper background, watercoloured silhouette image and some little ribbon flags

A card for my oldest daughter for Mother's Day.  I appreciate how both of my daughters mother their children though they each do it with their own slant and style. 

I started with a dark brown card that fit in a large envelope from my stash.  I added this fun background of fabric paper which I had stitched in an all over pattern a while back.  I printed this silhouette of wildflowers (Dover) onto white cardstock.  I trimmed it to size and added coordinating watercolour to make an interesting background for the flowers.  I stamped the little greeting (SU) in black (Versafine) near the top, punched top and bottom with the eyelet border punch (SU) and then embossed a line using my score tool.  I added three little red rhinestones on the bottom left and five little ribbon flags to the top right before mounting this large element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

Therese

Mother's Day card featuring wildflower silhouette with a purple background, ribbon and script background

This card is one for my daughter in law.  Her daughter is about four months old and cutie!!

I started with a pink card to fit in a large envelope and added dark purple rectangles embossed the the Scripty (SU) background.  I watercoloured the silhouette of wild flowers (Dover) with purples and pink to coordinate.  I punched a couple of slots (SU) and added two little pieces of ribbon and folded them to the back of my image.  I had already stamped the Mother's Day greeting (SU) in black Versafine when I printed the image.  I added the little heart which I watercoloured to coordianate as well just below the greeting.  I mounted this large element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

Therese

Anniversary card featuring a cute little envelope filled with an embossed felt heart and an embossed greeting

Our oldest daughter and her DH are celebrating an anniversary this weekend.  This is the card I made for them.  

I started with a dark brown card that fit inside a large envelope from my stash.  I added some all over stamping to the outside edges of my card because I was leaving such a large border around my decorative paper.  I die cut  a little envelope out of light yellow cardstock, folded it leaving one flap up and then tied it with a red ribbon to keep it folded.  I inserted a red embossed felt heart into my envelope.  Worked very well!  I mounted my envelope and the embossed a greeting below with gold embossing powder.  I added a little red heart punchie between the two words.  This large element was mounted to my brown card and my card was finished.  Really like how it turned out!!

Therese

Birthday cards featuring a cute little owl, lace and fun decorative paper

A birthday card for my second oldest grand daughter.  They are all growing so fast.  We have not seen them in quite a while because of restrictions.  I started with a large envelope from my stash and created a light pink card to fit inside.  I added the fun decorative paper and added the strip I cut off to the bottom edge.  I trimmed a strip of white cardstock and added the coordinating lace then mounted that piece over the gap.  I did run my tracign wheel on top and bottom edges before gluing it down.  I also ran it along the edges of my owl image (Cre8tive hands) and on both edges of the font greeting.  I added coordinating ribbon to the image and then watercoloured it to coordinate.  I love this cute little owl.  I trimmed the bottom edge with my eyelet border punch (SU).  It is headed her way this week along with an envelope of fun.  

Therese

 

Birthday card featuring a fabric paper background with fabric candles stitched over it

 My daughter loves to sew and has her own business where she encourages people to be conscious consumers when it comes to clothes.  I decided to incorporate fabric into her birthday card to reflect part of who she is!!  I started with a large envelope from my stash and created a kraft card to fit inside.  I cut my background for a sheet of fabric paper I made a while back.  I dug out a few fabric scraps that coordinated and cut seven little strips for my candles.  A small scrap of light yellow and a darker yellow and I was able to hand cut 7 little flames.  I used light coloured thread to stitch on my candles going around the perimeter a couple of times and pulling the threads to the back.  I layered the darker flames over the light and stitched them with a rust coloured thread.  I used a dark brown thread for the wicks.  I colour washed a stamped greeting, tore the top and bottom edges and then stitched in place using rust thread.  I found inspiration for this card on line at Thirty Hand Made Days.  I really love how it worked out and can certainly see making a few more of these in the future.  

Therese

Scrap and Bean - cards for seniors - reused elements and an Asian tag

Here are my last two cards for the Cards for Seniors program by Scrap and Bean.  

1.  I reused a background from a dismantled card and mounted it to a blue card.  I used this ATC background and added the square with metal flower embellishment, a ribbon and the greeting (SU).  I mounted it to a dark pink rectangle then to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

2.  This Asian tag was in my stash.  I added the black ribbon then created a background for it on a peach coloured card.  I added watercolour, stamped it with WORN (SU) in a couple different colours then added more watercolour.  Worked out well.  I added my tag and then a layered font greeting. 

In all I have over 80 cards to donate to their cause for seniors!  I am sure that the seniors will be appreciative of receiving handmade cards with greetings knowing that there are people thinking of them.  Cards are always a blessing!!

Therese

 

Scrap and Bean - cards for seniors - fun flowers

 Another couple cards for the Scrap and Bean - Cards for seniors program.  

1.  I started with a light yellow card and added the fun background (colour printed digital - Melstampz) in reds to yellows.  The focal element uses a spare ATC background to which I added watercoloured flowers which I made a while back.  I added a stamped greeting embellished with my pattern tracing wheel in between then mounted the whole thing to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

2.  The background is a reused layer from a notecard which I adhered to a light green card front.  The little flowers (SU) were stamped a while back so I trimmed them out, punched the bottom edge with the eyelet punch (SU), watercoloured it to coordinate, stamped the greeting (SU) then added a little bit of pink ribbon.  It still needed something to I added paper piercing using my pattern tracing wheel.  That was better!!         Therese

Scrap and Bean - cards for seniors - butterflies and a collage

 Another set of cards for the seniors which Scrap and Bean are collecting!!  

1.  A tan card with a leafy background which was watercoloured, stamped and embossed.  For my focal element I started with a brown cardstock rectangle embossed with the Scripty 3D embossing folder (SU) which is new to me!!  I added a gold ribbon with fiber tied to it then mounted a little collage which I had trimmed with postage stamp decorative scissors.  I watercoloured a little greeting and mounted it with 3D foam tape.  

2.  A gold card front with a butterfly background (colour printed digital - Just something I made ) which I colourwashed with a bit of yellow to help it coordinate a bit better with my focal element.  The focal element was created using an ATC background to which I added some colour washed tissue paper with some glittery glue.  Worked so well with the two little butterflies from my stash.  I stamped the greeting (SU), added three little brown rhinestones and then added it to my butterfly collage trimming the ends to the edge.  I  mounted this element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

Therese

Scrap and Bean - cards for seniors - textured foil and stamped flowers

 Another two cards to be donated to Scrap and Bean for their cards for seniors event in June.  

1.  A green card with a coordinating quilted background (colour printed digital).  The center panel was stamped a while back with the flowers (SU).  I added the little greeting SU), blue ribbon and the silk flowers and then coloured the flowers to coordinate.  It was a bit tricky getting around the silk flowers but that is the way it goes when you create backwards.  I mounted this piece to a pink layer before mounting it to my card front. 

2.  This is one of my ATCs which I undid and then added the butterfly (Appalachian Arts) on vellum which I had in my stash.  I added the little greeting and then replaced the silver brads to hold the vellum in place.  The blue is embossed metal foil tape embellished with transparent acrylic paint.  I found a striped background that coordinated and mounted to a coordinating card and mounted my focal element with 3D foam tape.  

Therese

Bright rainbow birthday card

This card is for my oldest grand daughter who is turning 14.  She is growing up and becoming a young woman.  I found this image of a girl with an umbrella (Judy Clement Wall) and thought it suited her well.  Before printing, I added a birthday greeting from Desert Diva leaving enough space in between to add ribbon or some other embellishment.  After trimming it out from the sheet I decided on the rainbow paper (Melstampz) so I coloured the image to coordinate.  I used gel pens and watercolour in combination to get all those little spaces coloured.  I added clear glitter to the raindrops, the puddles and the street light.  I added the blue ribbon, ran my pattern tracing wheel on the edges above the ribbon and then 3 little blue rhinestones below the ribbon.  There was enough room on the bottom to use a border punch to add some texture ( Martha Stewart).  I created a large black card, added the colour printed rainbow paper and then the large focal element using 3D foam tape.  Really happy with how it turned out.  Therese
 

Scrap and Bean - cards for seniors - with fun backgrounds and layered focal elements of hearts and flowers

 Two more cards I made for Scrap and Bean to be donated to seniors.  

1.  A small stamped flower which I lightly watercoloured to coordinate with my frame which I found in my stash.  I adhered the frame to the flower and then adhered to my card front which features some coordinating paste paper on a blue card front.  I punched the stamped greeting (from my stash) with a tap punch (SU), sponged its edges with green ink and then added a folded ribbon using a tiny white brad.  

2.  This card features a background I found in my stash that features a paper pieced/serendipity background to which I machine stitched a length of light green lace.  I have several of them which were all created at one time and then abandoned for a better option.  This one worked really well with an ATC background which I embellished with some decorative paper and then added a little heart (Melonheadz) which I watercoloured and fussy cut before mounting with 3D foam tape.  Pink and green is my favorite colour combination so I really like how this one turned out.  

Therese